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Falcons Hire Jaguars' Smith As Coach

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The Associated Press

Published: January 24, 2008

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their new head coach Wednesday night.

"Mike possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach," said General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, in his first month on the job.

Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year coaching veteran, "has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity."

Smith, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the Falcons on Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach.

CHARGERS: Quarterback Philip Rivers had surgery Wednesday to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He will rehab for up to six months. Also, the team hired Charlie Joiner as wide receivers coach.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Channing Crowder crashed his pickup truck into a tree alongside Florida's Turnpike on Wednesday and left the scene of the early morning collision in Hollywood, authorities said.

The former University of Florida standout was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage - a second-degree misdemeanor.

"He's fine. We have reached out to him, I think he's fine," Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland said on a video posted on the team's Web site.

Also, new coach Tony Sparano hired three assistants from his former team, the Dallas Cowboys: defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, assistant head coach and secondary coach Todd Bowles and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers. Also, VMI head coach Jim Reid accepted an offer to become the linebackers coach.

PACKERS: Offensive tackle Chad Clifton has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing Seattle's Walter Jones.

RAVENS: Hired Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator. Cameron was fired earlier this month after a 1-15 season as head coach of the Dolphins.

REDSKINS: Sean Taylor, the first player voted posthumously to the Pro Bowl, will have his jersey number worn at the game by two of his former Redskins teammates - tight end Chris Cooley and tackle Chris Samuels. Also, Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn interviewed for the Redskins offensive coordinator job.

SAINTS: Hired former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron as defensive line coach.

TITANS: Former defensive tackle Rien Long has improved to stable condition after he crashed his sports car into a rock wall while driving onto an interstate in Nashville, Tenn.

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